Theft and Vandalism Control Measures on Building Sites in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Problems of theft and vandalism is paramount issues related to building sites. The incidence of theft and vandalism sometimes depend on the nature of construction work and these vary among housing developments, roads and highways construction, dam structures, airport, and stadia construction. This study investigates the nature of theft & vandalism and security control on building site to curb the endemic effect through diversity of security technologies. A purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study. Opinion survey questionnaires were administered to construction professionals in the three categories of construction firms; large construction, medium construction and small construction firms and literature was also reviewed. The data collected was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Study revealed that more theft and vandalism are experienced large construction firms than medium and small firms. Construction professionals agree to identify causes of losses and considered all security component/ measures to be important.

The Management of Theft and Vandalism on Construction Jobsites in the Southern Region of Malawi

“…The study targeted senior management personnel of large contractors such as directors and managers. The risk of theft and vandalism is higher on job sites of large contractors (Sakurai et al, 2008), and senior management personnel are more likely to be knowledgeable of their companies' theft and vandalism management practices (Farinloye et al, 2013).…”

“…Further, theft and vandalism remain insufficiently researched phenomena within the construction management discipline in Africa, specifically, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Several studies, including that of Edike & Babatunde (2017), Farinloye et al (2013) and Ablordeppey et al (2020), were conducted in Nigeria and Ghana. These studies may not adequately portray the experiences of SSA countries to the phenomenon.…”

“…Perimeter fencing is temporary structures installed to protect the peripheral of the construction job site and used as a delaying tactic measure in crime prevention (Edike and Babatunde, 2017). Several forms of perimeter fencing exist, including solid flat-sided hoardings and mesh wire fencing (BSIA, 2012;Farinloye et al, 2013). Perimeter fences should be designed to prevent climbing by installing ant-climb features such as spikes or barbed wire and eliminate any form of hand and footholds (BSIA, 2012).…”

“…The policy must lucidly state the obligations and responsibilities of employees (BSIA, 2012). Some of the measures and processes must include making employees responsible for assets they use, reporting theft and vandalism to police agencies, an anonymous system of reporting suspicious activities, and other legislative and administrative practices such as the procedure for hiring (pre-screening of applicants) and termination of employment, provision for crime prevention coordinator and inventory supervisor (Edike and Babatunde, 2017;Farinloye et al, 2013). Administrative processes have proved effective in mitigating crime on construction job sites (Sharma and Bausman, 2009).…”

Intelligent Buildings: Key to Achieving Total Sustainability in the Built Environment

“…While 20-30% people felt that their efficiency had improved as they felt their superiors were monitoring them. Farinloye et al (2013) share the view that spaces can be better protected through the use of stand-alone or integrated CCTV and alarm systems that are motion sensitive and infrared enabled. The added use of a digital video recorder (DVR) camera device that accepts analog signal from the security camera and converts it to digital format allows the setting of motion detection features and alerts off-site monitoring when activated.…”